READY FOR THE CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16881, 20 June 1918, Page 5

READY FOR THE CRISIS.

FRANCE'S UNBEATEN ARMY.

AUSTRALIANS' TRIBUTES.

'Commonwealth Official.—Copyright.)

LONDON, Jusc 10. 'Avstraulvss are offering their French comrades in the trenches sundry undemonstrative tributes of esteem for the magnificent fight they put up against the recent terrific German onslaught south of the Aisne. It is evident that the Germans

are again beaten to a standstill, and, except for the gallant British handful near (Rheims, the full brunt of this drive was borne by French troops, fighting rearguard actions back to the reserves. The Germans were brought to a halt at the

Maine, as at Albert and Meteren, and have still failed to force the allies to relinquish their combined plan—still failed to drain the allied army of its reserves.

Australian officers who earlier this year "were privileged to visit the French armies returned impressed in the highest degree not only with the soldierly qualities of the French infantry, but with the skill of the French highest military command, which, during these four years of

war, when the French were supposed to have been " bled white," conserved and nursed France's man-power against just such a supreme crisis. The verdict of these officers is now being justified. Unquestionably the French are not " bled ■white," as the German propaganda has proclaimed. The maturer classes have been called up, but they ale still well ahead of the Hermans, an increasing proportion of whose fighting troop?, are now mere boys. The Australians behind tin lines during the last two months have frequently seen magnificent French divisions . obtaining fighting men of such quality as, make.- it hard to believe that this country ha.-

been battling for its veiy existeii' e for nearly four years. These soldiers urj in the prime of life, in splendid physique, and at 'the top of their form. Australians and villagers alike turned out to cheer some of them quartered near its they went, singing down the roads towards the south, decorated with the first summer flowers. It was very plain, both in numbers and in quality, that they were not the la,-1, combed out- remnants ot a destituted, white bled country. The French Army is still whole, strong, and utterly unbeaten.